James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1883

1 4 L I L L YW H I T E ' SC R I C K E T E R S ' A N N U A L. see for himself the practical good of the theoretical instruction he has received and the practical demerits of the defects against which he has been cautioned . H e will find that there is something more needed to gain distinction than a display of wild hitting ; and that in hitting there is a certain skill that requires more than the possession of great physical force . H e will , if the lesson proves faithful , find that to hit well necessitates a combination of eye and hand, the formerto time and the latter to strike ; as well as a large amount of wrist play which will alone tend to produce a freedom of hitting and a power inconceivable to one whohas not discovered the secret of this peculiar gift . H e will see, too, with whatconfidence every ball is played, with what decision every artifice of the bowler is met, and how skilfully the line is drawn between the delicate distinc- tions of forward and back play . It is obviously in the uncertainty of deciding onthese last twopoints that the bowlerhas the greatest advantage. There is a ball of certain length that baffles every player , or at least one that requires the undivided attention of the best batsman. It is a length ,' says Mr. Felix , ' that brings over a man most indescribable emotions .' Perhaps I maynot be inclined to go so far as Mr. Felix in the extent of his expression , though I have realised fully the force of his statement at times . It requires muchpatience and decision indeed to be able to meet this same representative ball with fortitude and a continuance of practice to master it thoroughly . The mechanical persistency of a bowler in working away at the weak point in a batsman's armour is seldom unsuccessful . There are only two methods of playing what is termed a length ball , and it depends on the immediate selection of the one or the other whether discomfirture or success ensues . Abatsman with a long reach will smother balls that would puzzle one of smaller stature . Reach has unquestionably much to do in the matter , but patience and decision are still more powerful allies . To play forward is , undoubtedly , when possible , the more advisable plan , as by this meansare avoided all the deviations of the ball from spin or accidental deflections b yreason of ground or other causes . But forward play should only be used with caution , and to step out to a ball for the sake of smothering it is a dangerous experiment that should be discouraged . With a straight bat much is possible , and it will be found muchcan be accomplished . Obviously , in playing forward the ball must be met at or near its pitch , and unless it can be so met, that there is no chance of its rising over the shoulder of the bat, recourse must behad to defence . A n din back play there is always the advantage of an extension of time for resolution and an opportunity of counteracting the course o fthe ball after its pitch with all its deflections or curvatures. It enables a batsmanto enjoy a better sight of the ball , to stop a bailer, and to bed o w non a shooter with equal certainty ; but, generally , I recommend the adoption . of forward play, whenever consistent with safety . To select at times the more advisable of the two methods is difficult , but with consistent patience success will generally follow . The slightest hesitation maybe fatal ; so let m e counsel rapidity of determination and promptitude of action , and, as in the case of back play-as before stated -a resolute style of defence rather than a weakrésistance . There are manyother points in connection with the science of batting that ' do not come within the province of this article , though possibly I mayenter on their treatment on another occasion . For m ypresent purpose it is enough to direct attention to the points in batting of most use to young cricketers , without wasting time on the fancy strokes which no treatise can teach . To cut ' well is, of course, one of the most brilliant and effective hits in the hands of a good batsman, but example will here, more than in any other instance, be vastly superior to precept . To state merely that in ' cutting ' the left leg usually takes the place ofthe right as the pivot leg , and that the latter is briskly advanced to the off -side , will give but a feeble idea of the beauty of this hit . To cut well requires a flexibility of wrist that cannot possibly be transferred to paper , and possesses a fascination to on-lookers that no pen can describe . To meet balls on the leg -side , too , without endangering your wicket , is an accomplishment that canonly be gained by practice . It maybe safely stated that there is not in the present generation of cricketers a leg -hitter so remarkable for accuracy as was